- Safiu Kehinde
Nigerian businesswoman and social media influencer, Okoro Nkiruka Blessing, popularly known as Blessing CEO, has opened up on the scandal surrounding her breast cancer claim.
NPO Reported Blessing CEO had come under public scrutiny days after announcing being diagnosed of breast cancer as she solicited for financial support for an urgent surgery.
Her claim however became a subject of controversy as some netizens doubted the authenticity of her diagnosis.
This would turn into a full-blown scandal following a post by businessman and fellow influencer, Chidi Mike, who accused Blessing CEO of lying to Nigerians as he alleged that the influencer manipulated a real breast cancer patient to send her result which she forged to solicit for financial support.
Chidi leaked the medical report of the social media influencer which he alleged was forged from the report of the real breast cancer patient identified as Mbara Deborah.
He further disclosed that Mbara had filed a lawsuit against Blessing CEO over the alleged forgery.
While she had slammed the influencer over the allegation Blessing CEO would on Wednesday appear in a live stream hosted by popular Nigerian media personality, Daddy Freeze.
Daddy Freeze had in the livestream invited Blessing CEO, Chidi, and Mbara’s brother identified as Duke of Enugu.
Prior to Duke’s arrival on the livestream, Blessing CEO claimed she is yet to receive any lawsuit Mbara’s family over the alleged forgery of her medical report.
She accused Chidi of acting based on personal reasons against her.
‘Like I said, everything they have been given to Oga Chidi, he acted based on personal reasons.” The influencer said.
On Duke’s arrival, Blessing CEO denied knowing him.
Duke also admitted never meeting the influencer in person.
He however claimed that Blessing CEO admitted doctoring her medical report in a phone call with one of his cousins.
“Blessing CEO didn’t meet me. She met my sister’s husband in Asaba.
“I didn’t say she met me. I’ve only called her on the phone when this matter arises on Sunday. I called her when I was in Abuja and she is going to call me back, but she didn’t call me back.
“But she called my first cousin, and we have all the evidence of her call. She can lie for all I care but we have all the evidence.
“We will not put it out until we get to that point.” The man said.
Duke further accused Blessing CEO of playing on his sister’s predicament as he demanded that influencer publicly apologise to his family over the scandal.
“My grievance- and this represents my family grievance, is that she is playing on my sister’s predicament. My sister is down. She knows her. She knows she is down and decided to play on her predicament.
“All we demand from her is to tender unreserved apology for using my sister’s predicament in her low time to deceive unsuspecting members of the public.
“Tender unreserved apology and refund people their hard-earned money.” He said.
In reaction, Blessing CEO claimed that she had never disclosed her medical report to anyone or use it to extort from Nigerians.
She expressed readiness to go to court over the alleged forgery of Mbara’s report.
“I have my own medical report. I don’t know what you are asking me to apologise for and the predicament you say I used. From what you are saying, you said refund to Nigerians. I didn’t put out any medical report to extort from Nigerians.
“If the family or she says I doctored her report then let’s go to court.” She said.
Duke however faulted Blessing CEO’s claims as he disclosed how the influencer had demanded his sister’s medical report from her which she allegedly forwarded to a blogger.
“You told my sister that you need to compare her doctor’s report to the one you have. and she sent it to you.
“You left your phone on disappearing messages so that those things can disappear.
“But we have all the evidence. My sister sent her report to you. You forwarded it to a blogger who has come online to show your chat with him, and you are still telling me you did not publish it.” He said.
The man further disclosed Blessing CEO’s alleged visit to Asaba, Delta state, to secretly apologise to the family which they demanded to be made in public.
“We are not interest in those money they donated, though it is hard-earned money. All we want from you is to apologise to my sister.
“You called my cousin in Abuja and told my cousin that you don’t even have what you said you have. I’m not missing words Blessing. I’m not scared of anything. We know the truth and my family is standing by the truth.
“You came all the way to Asaba with IVD to apologise. We don’t want secret apology. We want an open apology so that Nigerians will know the truth.” He said.
While repeatedly denying going to Asaba, Blessing CEO reiterated her readiness to go to court while asking Duke to bring her sister out to speak over the allegation herself.
“If your sister said she sent me her report and you said you have all the necessary evidence, please let’s go to court.” She said.
Mbara’s brother claimed her sister is currently traumatised by Blessing’s action but will speak herself soon.
“What you did traumatised her. She is under immense pressure. Blessing, you don’t have cancer.
“You don’t know how it works. She has been through chemotherapy, and you are aware of it.
“But I tell Nigerians she is going to speak at the appropriate time.” He said.
Meanwhile, Duke asked Blessing of she indeed has cancer.
He also demanded to know the test done by the social media influencer and where she did the test.
While claiming to have cancer, Blessing however refused to disclose where she did her test, insisting that she will make them known when sued.